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Utah Jazz: Donovan Mitchell nominated for Dunk of the Year

By Ryan Aston

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 10: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz celebrates a lead during a 105-99 win over the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on October 10, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 10: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz celebrates a lead during a 105-99 win over the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on October 10, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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We all know about the Rookie of the Year race, but Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell could also pick up some hardware for his dunking prowess.

For Utah Jazz fans, Donovan Mitchell‘s Rookie of the Year candidacy has been a hot button issue. In Philadelphia, Ben Simmons has been doing things not seen since Magic Johnson (or ever, really). However, Utah’s first-year floor leader is making waves in his own right.

As intense as the ROY debate is, though, that particular trophy isn’t the only one Mitchell is vying for.

On Wednesday, the NBA and Turner unveiled the fan-voted categories — as well as finalists — for 2018 NBA Awards, which will be broadcast on TNT June 25. Per their announcement, Mitchell is among the nominees for Dunk of the Year thanks to this early season gem against the LA Lakers.

Former Jazzman and color analyst Matt Harpring called it —

Nearly six months later, Mitchell’s putback hammer still gets my goose. Having said that, DM is facing some stiff competition in the category. Particularly from the Geek Freak himself, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, for this dandy at Madison Square Garden —

Yeah, that may be the most epic jam since Vince Carter’s Dunk of Death during the 2000 Olympic Games, to which it bears more than a passing resemblance. On this occasion, Tim Hardaway Jr. played the role of Frederic Weis.

I’m still giving Vinasnity the edge, though. And I wouldn’t count Mitchell out for DOY honors, either. Jazz fans can vote for the Slam Dunk Contest winner guy by tweeting “#DunkOfTheYear Donovan Mitchell.”

Here’s the full field of DOY nominees, as well as the rest of the categories and finalists —

#DunkOfTheYear
Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Knicks
Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan vs. Pistons
Cleveland’s LeBron James vs. Trail Blazers
Utah’s Donovan Mitchell vs. Lakers
Cleveland’s Larry Nance (then with the Lakers) vs. Warriors

#ClutchShotOfTheYear
Phoenix’s Devin Booker vs. Bucks
Cleveland’s LeBron James vs. Timberwolves
Portland’s Damian Lillard vs. Lakers
Boston’s Terry Rozier vs. Pacers
Minnesota’s Andrew Wiggins vs. Thunder

#AssistOfTheYear
San Antonio’s Kyle Anderson vs. Grizzlies
Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Wizards
Cleveland’s LeBron James vs. Lakers
Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons vs. Knicks
LA Clippers’ Milos Teodosic vs. Bucks

#BlockOfTheYear
Miami’s Bam Adebayo vs. Bucks
Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Trail Blazers
Phoenix’s Marquese Chriss vs. Hawks
New Orleans’ Anthony Davis vs. Jazz
New York’s Kristaps Porzingis vs. Suns

#HandleOfTheYear
Houston’s James Harden vs. Clippers
Boston’s Kyrie Irving vs. Bucks
Phoenix’s Josh Jackson vs. Raptors
Charlotte’s Kemba Walker vs. Lakers
Houston’s Chris Paul vs. Spurs

#BestStyle
Houston’s James Harden
Cleveland’s LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma
Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook
Golden State’s Nick Young

The league did a good job here, but they clearly missed the boat by not including Dante Exum‘s unlikely rejection of the 7-foot-3 Boban Marjanovic against the LA Clippers.

Next: Utah Jazz: Will Mitchell, George play in Game 2?

If that’s not the #BlockOfTheYear, I don’t know what is.

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